Chrysalis (2008)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Tony Baez Milan

Writers:

Ray Bradbury (short story)
Roger Lay Jr. (screen story)

Genre:

Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Change is the only constant in our universe.

Plot:

As our world suffers the ravages of humankind, scientists look for ways to sustain life. When one of them falls ill and a chrysalis forms around him, a tug of war ensues about the future of the stricken scientist.

Awards:

1 win

Cast

John Klemantaski	...	Hartley
Darren Kendrick	...	Rockwell
Glen Vaughan	...	Smith
Corey Landis	...	McGuire
Larry Dirk	...	Mondragon
Danny Cameron	...	Murphy
Elina Madison	...	Solda
Liesel Kopp	...	News Anchorwoman

Also Known As:

Ray Bradbury's Chrysalis (USA) (complete title)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Filming Locations:

El Mirage Dry Lake, San Bernardino County, California, USA

Company:

Urban Archipelago Filmed Entertainment

Compelling film

Just saw this last night at the Shriekfest film fest in Los Angeles. I'm not a big Bradbury fan myself (more of a Harlan Ellison fan) but I must say this is a really good piece of work. It's sad to see some of the things that are considered Science Fiction films these days, but this is the real deal. The movie is based on a Ray Bradbury short story and pretty much deals with mankind's attempt at survival after the planet has been messed up pretty badly. We see some of that damage early on in the film but then quickly the film introduces us to an isolated group of scientists who are going about trying to figure out a way to undo some of the damage to the environment, specifically to plant life. This is where it gets real interesting since one of them begins to mutate and develops a Chrysalis that covers his body. No one really knows what could come out of that thing. What works so well is how invested you are in the struggle between all the characters, each with their very unique perspective on how to deal with the crisis. The actors are really good at keeping you invested in the proceedings. You can tell the film is truly an homage to those classic science fiction stories to come out of the pulp magazines during the golden age. The FX are really well done, everything looks organic and as far as I could tell no CG. Should be coming out soon. Lets hope this gets more exposure than Bradbury's last effort A SOUND OF THUNDER. This one deserves to be seen. I'm starting to feel real positive about Sci-Fi cinema again with MAN FROM EARTH last year and now CHRYSALIS.